Best Ideas for Getting Residential Work?

[Laurie Grathen]

I've been assigned an article for Cleaner Times on how to reach the residental market. I'd like to use your best ideas. Please e-mail them to me. I'll credit you in the article.

Thanks!

Laurie

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[spraymasters]

Hi Laurie,
We reach out in many different ways. First we go to our friends, co-workers and family. You can't ignore that connection and if you approach them and tell them what you do and would love to do some work for them....well....and they always seem to know someone else who needs some work done>>>>>you are off to the races! Another is we have a nice flyer with our business card stapled to the upper corner and we trifold them. We drive by neighborhoods and hook the card/flyer on the flags of the mailboxes. We have gotten a good amount of work this way. We also believe in the 20 foot rule:::::::"every person within 20 feet of you should have one of your business cards!"
You never know!!! You can also do all the "normal" stuff of advertisement in the Yellow Pages, Papers etc...but we have found that word of mouth is by far the best advertisement. We have a referral program where we send our thank you card and inside we put a flyer describing how if they send us another customer with at least a $200 job we will send them a check for $10.00 cash! They like getting checks in the mail... We also have a metal sign that we put up at the end of the driveway everytime we are doing a job. This attracts attention to our business. We also make contacts to realitors and we let them know that we are home care specialists and can get a home ready for sale.
Laurie, we got a million of them....

some direct and others indirect. Would be glad to share more if you are interested. Good Luck with the article.
Dennis

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Living Life On the Edge Makes Us Dizzy...WE LOVE DIZZY!

Dennis A. Cormier and Gloria A. Wagner
North Georgia Spray Masters, Inc.
spraymasters@hotmail.com

 

[countryboync]

Laurie Here is something I have tried . I went down to a big Real Estate office and talked to them and showed them how I could benfit them by washing a house before the sale. I think the cost I charge is small If it just turns only one sale for them. Hope this helps. catch ya later.

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[Ron Musgraves]

Laurie


Here are a couple things

1. Direct mail in new home developments only. Make buyers aware of contractors responsibilities to remove all stucco, paint & any other debris that’s on their new concrete.{with a nice brochure}
2. Use a-frame signs at all entrances announcing that you’re working in their development today.
3. Door hangers
4. Knock door to door if need be.
5. Two for one specials.
6. Give demos to any one watching or remotely interested in what you’re doing.
7. Ask your customer if they know of anyone else in the neighborhood that might like your services.
8. Offer potential customers a deal if they get another neighbor involved in cleaning their house.
9. By all means exhaust all friends for leads.
10. In busy neighborhoods give one away to attract others into investigating what’s going on. Then of course you sell them.
11. Use before and after photos.{examples photos in this post.}
12. Utilize references from neighbors and other customers that were happy.


Laurie I want a copy of this article if its possible. I think that in 16 years, the residential market has been the toughest thing I have ever tried to do. If I remember something I have tried that worked in the past I will add it. You have your hands full & good luck.


Ron Marshal --- Phoenix Arizona

1-888-fleetwash


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[This message has been edited by Ron Marshal (edited September 09, 2000).]

 

[Greg Rentschler]

Hi Laurie,


We have had great results working with other types of contractors for "referral" work. We have ties with painting contractors, lawn care and landscape contractors, deck builders, and construction companies currently and they have brought us a substantial ammount of work. Some we pay a "finders fee" to and others just pass the info along in return for the same.

Some of the most successful advertising methods we have had are your local Home & Garden shows, mailbox flyers and post cards to the more upscale neighborhoods, and our "Refer a Friend" program.

Good Luck with your article and I look forward to reading it.



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Greg Rentschler
GCR PowerClean
www.gcrpowerclean.com
NEW E-Mail address: GCR PowerClean@cs.com

 

[Laurie Grathen]

Thanks to all who replied. My deadline is late this year, for publication in the spring, I think. Watch for your suggestions! And if you think of anything else, please pass it on.

Laurie

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